DAZN walks away from Ligue 1 broadcasting deal in just one year
DAZN has decided to end its broadcast rights to Ligue 1 just one year into their four-year deal. To exit the agreement, DAZN will pay the Ligue de Football Professionnel (LFP) €100 million, along with the remaining €140 million owed for the final two instalments.
In August 2023, DAZN signed a four-year broadcasting deal with the LFP to stream Ligue 1 matches. This partnership appeared to be a power move, combining one of Europe’s top football leagues with a rapidly growing global streaming platform. However, just one year later, the partnership has already ended.
The fallout begins
DAZN made a bold and ambitious entry into French football. Already involved with Serie A and boxing, the streaming company aimed to boost viewership and revenues for the LFP. The deal, reportedly worth hundreds of millions of euros, required DAZN to pay in instalments over four years, according to French sports outlet L’Équipe.
Trouble started when DAZN missed payments due at the beginning of 2025. The LFP accused the platform of breaching its contract. In turn, DAZN cited reasons—mainly a lack of support in fighting piracy and promoting the product. DAZN insisted the LFP didn’t do enough to prevent illegal streams of Ligue 1 matches, leading to major revenue loss. The company also blamed weak marketing by the LFP, saying subscriptions were lower than expected.
DAZN stated, “Coming to France, losing money, and stopping after a year does not make much sense. We are convinced that we can add great value to the league as part of this chain project. Leaving the clubs in the unknown with a chain project that does not yet have the beginning of something concrete seems extremely adventurous to us three and a half months before the start of the championship. We are ready to invest a hundred million euros for this channel.”
DAZN will pay €100 million as an exit fee and another €140 million to cover the remaining instalments, totalling a hefty €240 million to bow out early. The LFP secures short-term funding but loses a major partner. DAZN’s reputation takes a hit, but it potentially gains room to renegotiate under better terms.
DAZN’s financial records show losses despite significant investments in sports rights globally, according to UK filings. The company seeks rapid ROI and tech-driven flexibility, but Ligue 1, being more traditional and slower to evolve, may not have been the right fit.
DAZN’s future in France
The LFP has secured a new, albeit less profitable, deal with CVC. It now plans to develop its own direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service. Meanwhile, French press reports indicate that several clubs, including Montpellier, Le Havre, and Angers, could face bankruptcy due to a decline in TV rights revenue.
DAZN could offer operational support by sublicensing games on its platform if the governing body proceeds with its standalone direct-to-consumer (DTC) streaming service.
Reflecting on 2023, DAZN had extended its US-facing agreement with Matchroom Boxing, signed a sublicensing deal with French Ligue 1 broadcaster Canal+, and renewed both its Spanish Formula One deal and Italian Serie A partnership.
